transmitter

American  

[trans-mit-er, tranz-] / trænsˈmɪt ər, trænz- /

noun

transmitters plural

1. a person or thing that transmits.

2. Also called transmitting set.  Radio. a device for sending electromagnetic waves; the part of a broadcasting apparatus that generates and modulates the radiofrequency current and conveys it to the antenna.

3. the part of a telephonic or telegraphic apparatus that converts sound waves or mechanical movements into corresponding electric waves or impulses.

4. Biochemistry. neurotransmitter.

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transmitter British  

/ trænzˈmɪtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that transmits

2. the equipment used for generating and amplifying a radio-frequency carrier, modulating the carrier with information, and feeding it to an aerial for transmission

3. the microphone in a telephone that converts sound waves into audio-frequency electrical signals

4. a device that converts mechanical movements into coded electrical signals transmitted along a telegraph circuit

5. physiol short for neurotransmitter

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transmitter Scientific  

/ trăns′mĭt-ər /

1. A device that converts sound, light, or electrical signals into radio, microwave, or other electrical signals of sufficient strength for the purpose of telecommunication.

2. Compare receiver

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• transmitters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of transmitter

First recorded in 1720–30; transmit + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

transmitter transmitters

The assumption has been that an extraterrestrial transmitter would produce a highly concentrated signal that stands out from natural background noise.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 16, 2026

For decades, proportional response functioned less as a strategy than a ritual: hit a transmitter, strike a barracks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026

All one needs is "another radio transmitter that can broadcast on the same frequency, but louder," she said, which creates "a wall of mush."

From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026

Also benefitting are the University of Strathclyde, to develop a satellite navigation system that doesn't rely on GPS, and Heriot-Watt University to help build a quantum communication transmitter for small satellites.

From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2025

“The transmitter and the liquid that induces the simulation. The transmitter communicates information to the brain from the computer, and vice versa, and the liquid alters the brain to put it in a simulation state.”

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

The agency's transmitters began sending out "involuntary signal emissions", YPA said.

From Barron's ● Jan. 13, 2026

Anti-money-laundering laws are tough on banks and money transmitters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026

Mr Taylor believes the decline started in the 1980s and was partly linked to improvements to TV transmitters.

From BBC ● Jan. 26, 2025

The Eaton fire came perilously close to the huge phalanx of mountain-top transmitters on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 10, 2025

She knew that she would need to control large groups of people in order to stay secure, so she developed a way to do it with serums and transmitters.

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth